The BBC is facing mounting pressure to reconsider airing this year’s series of MasterChef, after presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode were sacked. The broadcast union Bectu said that bad behaviour “should not be rewarded with prime-time coverage”, while a leading women’s rights charity warned many people would feel “deeply uncomfortable” to see the show on their TV screens.
The controversy over MasterChef started last year, when BBC News first revealed claims of misconduct against Gregg Wallace. Last month, a report by the show’s production company revealed that more than 40 complaints against Wallace had been upheld, while a claim that Torode had used a severely offensive racist term was also substantiated.
Following the report, the BBC announced that the new series – filmed before Wallace and Torode were sacked – would still be shown on BBC One and iPlayer. The corporation said it reached the decision after “careful consideration and consultation” with the contestants.
But speaking exclusively to BBC News, head of Bectu Philippa Childs called on the BBC “to reconsider its decision to broadcast the latest series of MasterChef”. She said: “Whilst the BBC claims that it has consulted with contestants there appears to have been no consultation with complainants; freelancers who have taken the very difficult step of speaking out and who will legitimately feel distressed as the show appears on their screens several times a week over the next two months.”
Ms Childs added that freelancers whose complaints had been upheld would “undoubtedly be triggered” by the decision to air the series. “If [the BBC] are serious about addressing this industry wide problem, broadcasters should not reward bad behaviour with prime-time coverage,” she said.
BBC News understands the new series may be re-edited in light of the findings, with the prominence of Wallace and Torode re-examined. It is thought there will be limitations on how much the pair can be edited out, but the focus is likely to be on the contestants.
The BBC has been approached for a response to Ms Childs’ comments. Her views were echoed by some of the women who came forward with claims against Wallace. Reacting to the news that it would be aired, one former MasterChef worker who claimed Wallace groped her said the decision to broadcast the series showed “a blatant disregard for the people who have come forward”.
Another former MasterChef worker, who said Wallace pulled his trousers down in front of her, told BBC News the decision to air the series was “profoundly disrespectful” to people like her who had made allegations. “It ultimately sends a message that such behaviour can be overlooked.”
Penny East, chief executive of the Fawcett Society, also expressed concern over the decision. “Seeing Gregg Wallace on our screens will be deeply uncomfortable for many people, not least the brave women who have spoken about his appalling behaviour,” she said. “It can’t be right that men who sexually harass women continue to be given platform and allowed to maintain their profile and power.”
On Thursday, one of the contestants on the new series of MasterChef said she was edited out after asking for it not to be broadcast. Sarah Shafi told BBC Newsnight that “in an ideal world, what would have happened is that it would have been axed” out of respect to those people whose complaints had been upheld.
She said that would have sent “a strong message that [the BBC] are not supporting people in those prominent positions or facilitating some sort of enabling environment”. Ms Shafi said that she had felt “pressurised into saying yes” to the show going ahead and the solution of editing her out left her “flabbergasted”.
The BBC said Banijay had consulted with all the contestants before the decision to run the series was made. It said: “We are sorry that this contestant does not support the decision and we are grateful she raised this with both the BBC and Banijay.”
In announcing its decision to run the series, the BBC said: “This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. “In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC.
“However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.”
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